Lauren Long / The Post-StandardSyracuse's Dion Waiters goes up for a shot in the first half of Friday's game against Northern Iowa at the Carrier Dome.

Kris Joseph made up for 20 minutes of mediocrity with 11 quick points to open the second half. That burst of offense, coupled with Syracuse's tenacity in its 2-3 zone, allowed the Orange to shake free from Northern Iowa and win its first game of the 2010-11 season, 68-46, in front of 22,198 fans at the Carrier Dome.

Joseph, who went 0-for-5 from the floor in the first half, scored 11 points in seven minutes to start the second half and ignite what had been a fizzling Orange offense. SU shot just 32 percent in the first half, but finished the game at 50 percent.

Rick Jackson and Joseph led the Orange with 14 points. SU got nice support off the bench from freshman guard Dion Waiters, who contributed 10 points. Both Orange freshmen centers fouled out of the game.

Northern Iowa, which relies heavily on the 3-point shot, made just 3-of-17 against the Orange men's zone in the first half. The Panthers never found their shooting touch and SU turned up the intensity in that zone in the second half to force a couple key turnovers.

The Panthers shot 18 percent from beyond the arc and 27 percent from the field for the game.

The Orange play again on Sunday, when Canisius visits the Dome for a 3 p.m. game.